Parents could face searches before visiting children in care

Parents and other close relatives could be required to undergo body and baggage searches before visiting a child in a residential care facility if Iceland’s proposed comprehensive child protection bill is passed, mbl.is reports.

Education and Children’s Affairs Minister Inga Sæland highlighted the proposed authority during the bill’s first reading in Alþingi on Tuesday. She said searches could be carried out on people visiting children in care and on their luggage.

The purpose would be to prevent alcohol, drugs, weapons or other dangerous objects from being brought into the facilities. Searches would have to be conducted with the safety and welfare of the child and others at the facility as the guiding principle.

The bill limits the authority to parents and other people close to the child, although the minister’s remarks were broader. Searches could only be required if they were considered necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of the child or others staying at the facility.

Current child protection legislation contains no direct legal authority to search parents or other close relatives. The provision was added in June by a majority of Alþingi’s Welfare Committee and included in the revised bill, which was reintroduced on September 11. It was referred to the committee after its first reading on September 15. If approved, the new legislation is proposed to take effect on April 1, 2027.